Double Wear Double Love

I will hold my hands up and proclaim that I honestly thought I was forever destined to be a MAC Studio Fix Fluid kind-of-girl.

I have been using this foundation for possibly the past two years, on and off, and fully admit I thought, and still do think, it is a wonderful foundation. I loved to bask in its medium to full coverage and flawless finish, but recently I have been left feeling a little bit unfulfilled. I think after a while it is all too easy to slip into a foundation rut and I needed some severe intervention to pull myself out of it!

My divine inspiration came in the form of Estee. Estee Lauder Double Wear to be precise.

Foundations are something I really do not mind spending my pennies on and having tried many a drugstore brand, I do feel, for my personal requirements, the higher-end of the foundation spectrum is best. Estee Lauder Double Wear retails at £25.

I am always nervous to run the gauntlet of the beauty counters that litter by local department store. I embark on a buying a new foundation with utmost trepidation. I fear for the removal of my makeup in a public place and am too mild-mannered, at times, to say when I don’t like said product, after they have meticulously plastered it all over my face.

But thankfully, I took solace in my Estee Lauder lady with her amenable attitude. She was so helpful and we tried a few varying shades until I felt happily and successfully colour-matched.

(FYI – I am a MAC nc25 – nc30 and was matched to Tawny in EL Double Wear)

I like to apply any liquid foundation with a brush, namely my MAC 190, and Double Wear is no different. However, this foundation can be left a bit streaky after application, so I tend to buff it in with a stippling brush, MAC 188, or lightly blend with my fingers.

The coverage is medium to high…just how I like it, but a little does go a long way so I don’t find it too heavy at all. Actually, in comparison, it feels a lot lighter than MAC Studio Fix Fluid.

It really is long wearing. Currently, I am plastering my face at roughly 7:25am each morning, and often am not home until gone 7:00pm most nights. Within this 12 hour stint, much brow-furrowing and eye-rubbing has occurred, as well as at least an hour’s exercise either to the dulcet tones of Ricky Martin or around a hockey pitch. And yep, it is still there at the end of the day. No slipping, no sliding and no creasing! Marvellous.

The consistency of Double Wear is luxurious and silky. Once I have applied it, my face does feel rich and velvety and, although I detest the word flawless, it does seem…well…flawless! I don’t really have any blemishes to cover, but I love achieving that even skin tone and the perfect foundation can present the ideal setting for the rest of your makeup. I finish my foundation routine with a dusting of MAC Mineralised Skin Finish, and don’t feel the need to wear any concealer at all when using this product.

The not-so good about this product…obtaining the liquid from the bottle can be quite mischievous, but the MAC foundation pump fits onto the bottle perfectly so I just use this.

The smell is a little solvent-like, but ho hum.

As a little side note: I got given these two tinsy samples to try after I had bought my foundation. I like to hold them in my hand and pretend I’m a giant!

These two little gems are quite frankly, incredible. I have been using the Idealist Pore Minimizing Skin Refinisher in the mornings before applying my foundation, and it really evens out your skin, leaving it silky smooth and acts as the perfect primer for your makeup.
At bedtime, I have been using the Advanced Night Repair in place of any moisturiser and my skin has never felt so hydrated, soft and radiant.
I would seriously debate spending some more of my pennies and purchasing these two products as they are just a dream for my skin.

Have you tried any of these products?
Would love to know your thoughts and which is your fave foundation of the moment?

32 Comments

I've been considering buying this… i've never heard anyone say anything bad about it!What's your skin type if you don't mind me asking?! I have oily skin and I don't want to spend all that money for it to hate my face!♥

I purchased doublewear a couple of weeks ago + can safely say its one of the best FULL coverage foundations ive tried!I honestly dont think £25 is a bad price either as you dont need much of it.The only problem for me is that its so hard to blend and dries quite quick, still a fabby foundation though! great review xx

I've tried Double Wear and I loved it! I have to agree with you – it's one of the best foundations I've ever tried. Then, for some reason, I went off it for a while and discovered Diorskin Forever, and I've been using it for a long time, it's definitely my favorite.

Also, foundation is also something I don't mind spending on. Maybe I just haven't tried the best drugstore ones, but my experience with them has been bad – they've all been streaky, oxidized during the day or made me break out.

Really good post, lady!!I got a sample of double wear in Ecru (the palest shade) the other day, and it matches perfectly, and like you also said, it feels so light on my skin but evens out my skin tone really well.

The two samples you got sound awesome- I shall be investigating them both.

Great review Milly! I used to use this foundation when I was 18 but it broke my sensitive skin out. However, last week, I got the Double Wear Light foundation and it is amazing! The coverage is great and lasts all day 🙂 I wish I got on with the original Double Wear formula though, would have saved a lot of money haha. Glad you're enjoying it though 🙂 xx

thank you for all your comments. I'm so pleased that a) a lot of you agree that this foundation is uh-mazing and b) my review has helped you out if you were in two minds whether to purchase or not. 🙂 xx

In the colder months I use double wear light and it is honestly amazing! I have never tried normal double wear though, I'm not sure how much heavier it would be. The MUA used those other two little jars on my skin when she was trying out the double wear light on me and they were lovely! I didnt purchase at the time because I was a tad skint and only needed to rebuy my foundation but I might add them to my christmas list 🙂 xx

I've been using double wear and idealist skin refinisher for years and loved them, even preffered them to my Chanel collection (which is my go-to brand) I was starting to feel like I was missing out and tempted to try Mac after seeing so many bloggers rave about it but I think I'll stick with what's always worked! Thanks for the review x

it's weird how you find it feels lighter than sff! I recently bought the double wear light & even that feels heavy on my skin, sff feels lighter than that to me! Love, love advance night repair! Might give this pore minimizing serum a go on my next order! xx